LASER Basics

by Allan Reiss, product manager for CHAUVET®

We think everyone can agree that lasers are an asset to any event and are one of the greatest effect fixtures you can have on your rig. Nowadays, lasers can include multiple patterns, feature a ton of effects, and project beams in bold colors such as red, green, blue, magenta, violet, cyan and yellow. The first step to creating a great laser show is knowing how to properly use them.  See below for some helpful hints to remember when it comes to operating lasers.

Safety First
Light emitted from lasers is a thousand times more concentrated than light from any other kind of light source. This concentration of light can potentially cause eye injuries, so whatever you do, don’t shine the laser directly into someone’s eyes. Lasers sold in the US must comply with FDA/CDRH standards and don’t require a variance. As you set them up, make sure to follow ALL instructions listed in the individual user manuals provided with each fixture and you won’t have anything to worry about.

Haze and Fog Complete Me
Adding haze or fog to your event will drastically increase the effect of your laser by making all of the beams visible. You’ll be able to create mid-air beam looks that will span the entire room and can be moved and zoomed to fit the venue perfectly. Just a little bit goes a long way, so don’t feel the need to completely fog out the room and overwhelm your guests.

Effects Galore
With laser sky effects, laser webs, star fields, and swirls, there are so many different types of lasers on the market to choose from.  You can choose from ultra compact, plug-and-play lasers which project red and green effects, lasers that project a rippling aura effect, or color-mixing lasers that mix to create yellow, cyan and magenta beams and are operated using DMX.

Selecting the perfect laser will depend on the size of your venue and the type of event you are hosting. Regardless of the fixture you choose, if you combine it with haze or fog, you will give your audience an awesome light show they’ll be sure to remember. In case we didn’t give you enough information, here’s one more fun fact of the day – LASER stands for “light amplification by stimulation emission of radiation.”

How did they get those awesome shots?

by Allen Reiss, product manager for CHAUVET®

You always see amazing photos and wonder “how did they do that?” Below are some pointers to help turn your mediocre pictures into gorgeous shots that people will want to look at.

1. The Beauty Shot
An installation shot that doesn’t include people is called a beauty shot. Using a wide angle gives you a large overview of the entire space. Hint: Make sure there’s haze in the atmosphere so you can pick up the beams.
2. Choose Your Angle
For the best angle, look for a spot where the lighting looks great and the décor of the space looks perfect. Make sure there’s nothing in the photo that looks messy such as half-empty drinks on the tables, cables on the floor, or anything else that will ruin the photo.
3. Maintain Image Quality
When you can, avoid using digital zoom because it lowers the quality of the image. Using optical zoom maintains the quality of the image.
4. Go For Effect
Magazines and their readers like to see the effect lighting produces.  Shots of lights on a truss aren’t as interesting as the overall effect the lights produce. Make sure haze or fog is in the venue and try and get shots of all the lights together, especially when all their beams are visible.
5. Depict Action
Now that you have all your beauty shots, get some shots of the crowd and people having fun. Some great photos include the venue, lights in action and the crowd having the time of their lives.
6. Who’s In Charge Here
Now that you have your beauty and action shots, get some photos of the people who made this project happen.  A group shot of the lighting designer, installer and owner is always great to have.

Practice makes perfect so don’t get frustrated if your first group of photos doesn’t make you want to rush out and buy picture frames. Remember all the tips we’ve shared when it comes to photographing lighting installations, images and setting up the camera and you’ll be taking magazine-worthy photos in no time!

Reloop Launches DJ Headphones with iPhone Control – Mix and talk with the new Reloop RHP-5 headphones

Reloop Launches DJ Headphones with iPhone® Control

Mix and talk with the new Reloop RHP-5 headphones

North Hollywood, CA, July 20th, 2011 – Reloop is proud to present the RHP-5 Series DJ headphones with integrated iPhone® control. Compact and lightweight, these headphones deliver a surprisingly robust sound without a burning a hole in your wallet.

The RHP-5 features rotating ear cups and a collapsible design for easy storage and maximum portability. This stylish headphone also includes a microphone and an answer/mute button and works with all smartphones with 3.5mm jack including iPhone® and BlackBerry®. It also includes a volume slider and a convenient shirt clip.

The RHP-5 boasts high quality drivers that deliver a full, rich sound with crisp highs and deep bass comparable to much more expensive models. Sleek aesthetic design features include a smooth rubber finish, aluminum inlays on the ear cups, and nine eye-catching color options, including Black, White, Cherry Black, Ceramic Mint, Purple Milk, Flash Black, Gold Rush, Solid Chrome, and Chocolate Crown.

Features include:

- Professional, compact DJ headphones

- Rotary and retractable construction

- Smartphone control incl. microphone for iPhone® , BlackBerry®, and others

- Classy rubber finish

- Deep, powerful sound

- High quality headband with sturdy aluminum bar

- Double headband casing

- One-sided cord routing

- All connections gold plated

- Includes ¼” adaptor

The Reloop RHP-5 will be in stores August 1st at a competitive street price of $59.99. Visit www.mixware.net for more information.

Reloop is distributed exclusively in the US by Mixware, LLC.

Getting Familiar with Images

by Allan Reiss, product manager for CHAUVET®

There are different types of descriptions commonly used when it comes to discussing images and their resolution.  If you’re unfamiliar with terms like high resolution, web resolution, dpi, megapixel, digital zoom, optical zoom and SLR, they can sound technical and intimidating. Don’t be nervous, we’ll learn together and you’ll be photographing lighting installations like a professional in no time.

1. Does resolution really matter?
There’s a big difference between high resolution and web resolution photos. Both are very different and will determine if your photos are published in a printed publication or simply posted online. High-resolution photos are typically 300 dpi (dots per inch) and used for print. Web-resolution images are typically 72 dpi and can really only be published online since the image quality of these photos would be very poor if they were printed.
2.  The mysterious megapixel.
A megapixel refers to one million pixels (tiny squares on a computerized display) and commonly references the resolution capability of digital cameras. Basically, digital images are made up of thousands of these tiny, tile-like picture elements and the more pixels, the higher the image resolution.
3. Get your zoom on.
Is there a big difference between digital and optical zoom? Digital zoom is the digital magnification of the center of an image. It increases the apparent image size by making the existing pixels larger. The amount of image information stays the same and the resolution of the image actually decreases.  Optical zoom indicates that the camera has a real, multi-focal length lens. Unlike the digital zoom where pixel size is increased, optical zoom simply magnifies the center portion of the picture.
4. Choosing a camera.
The best camera to photograph lighting installations and produce high-resolution images for print publications is an SLR camera.  SLR, or Single Lens Reflex, means the same lens and optical system is used for framing and capturing an image. In other words, it’s a professional camera with interchangeable lenses.

New USB DJ Controller by Numark to be Showcased at Summer NAMM 2011

The NDX900, a new USB DJ controller, allows DJs to perform with virtually any digital music source.

Cumberland, R.I. (July 19, 2011) – Numark, the world’s leading manufacturer of DJ equipment , introduces NDX900, a professional DJ controller and MP3/CD/USB player. Numark will showcase NDX900 at Booth # 400 at the 2011 Summer NAMM show from July 21st- 23rd in Nashville, TN.

Based upon the popular NDX800 controller, the NDX900 DJ controller is capable of mixing music from virtually any digital source including a computer, CDs, MP3 CDs, or even USB flash drives. NDX900 has a layout that is recognizable to DJs everywhere with a large, seven-inch touch-sensitive illuminated platter, smooth, frontloading CD drive, top-facing USB DJ controller port, powerful remixing, looping, and sampling capabilities, all in a chassis that has a solid feel and professional look. NDX900’s Beat-synced DSP effects include chop, echo, filter, flanger, pan, and phaser.

NDX900′s built-in audio interface works plug-and-play, allowing DJs to seamlessly integrate NDX900 with practically any computer and control virtually any DJ software. No drivers or external sound cards are required. With two NDX900s and a mixer of choice, DJs have a powerful and versatile digital DJ rig.

NDX900 includes Traktor LE 2 DJ Software and comes premapped for use with a variety of DJ software including Virtual DJ and is compatible with almost any MIDI compatible DJ software.

“With plug-and-play capability and Traktor software included, NDX900 is truly an all-in-one DJ controller,” said Chris Roman, Numark Product Manager. “DJs will love the large, seven-inch platter for scratching; it has an illuminated ring that’s just like putting tape on vinyl.”

For more information on the NDX900, new DJ software controller, please visit www.numark.com/ndx900

CHAUVET Wants to Get Social: $3K in Prizes

SUNRISE, Fla. – CHAUVET®, a leading manufacturer of professional lighting, announces a new contest, using social media sites, called: “$3K Social: We have $3K that says you’ll like us.” Contestants enter by liking (http://www.facebook.com/chauvetlighting), subscribing (http://www.youtube.com/chauvetlighting) or following (http://twitter.com/chauvetlighting) one of the manufacturer’s social media sites. Or they can do all three to triple their chances.

$3K in Prizes
Contestants are eligible to win $3,000 in prizes. There will be 50 winners in all, but only one grand prize winner will be chosen. The grand prize winner will receive $1000 in lighting gear. Winners will be announced on August 11, 2011, at 2 p.m. on CHAUVET®’s social sites.

Official Rules
Contest only available for North/South America and European residents. Contestants do not have to purchase a product to participate in this contest. If potential contestant is already a fan, follower or subscriber and still would like to enter the contest, they can read more here – http://www.chauvetlighting.com/3k_social_contest/page2.html.

American DJ Remembers Michael B. Healy

American DJ Remembers Michael B. Healy

The American DJ family mourns the loss of its dear friend and colleague Michael (Mike) Healy, who passed away suddenly on the morning of Sunday June 26.  Mike was a founding member of the Healy Group, a leading manufacturer’s rep firm serving the music, lighting and consumer electronics industries.  The Healy Group has represented American DJ, American Audio, Elation Professional, Acclaim Lighting, Global Truss and Arriba Cases on the East Coast for over a decade.

Universally loved and respected throughout the American DJ Group of Companies and by all of the retailers he served, Mike was known for his intelligence, integrity and genuine concern for the welfare of others. “We’ve lost more than a valued and respected business advisor,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. “We also lost a true friend. Mike always looked for the best in people and brought out the best in people. It was impossible to spend any time with him and not feel better about life. He will be sorely missed.”

Mike is survived by his wife and best friend of 38 years, Kathleen, his son Christopher, daughter-in-law Kendal, daughter Meghan, and future son-in-law Brett Needham, as well as the two special loves of his life, his grandchildren, Cullen Christopher and Brenna Kate; and his friend, brother and business partner, Timothy Patrick Healy.

Aside from his successful business career, Mike was very active in numerous philanthropic, charitable and community organizations. He was very involved in the Chickahominy Youth Soccer League, an executive board member of the Richmond Strikers and a member of the Glen Allen Ruritan Club. Raised in Alexandria, VA, he graduated from Bishop Ireton High School and attended George Mason University.

Now all my Djs carry a backup DJ system in their pocket

In 2010 Mobile Beat Magazine published a full review of djay by algoriddim for the Mac, then a software program for your iphone that controlled the Mac application, then in January djay for the iPad came out. Then earlier this year in March, they took it to the ultimate step and made it so you can have a fully mixable DJ mixer and source music all in one, on your iphone.

They have taken the fantastic Ipad application (as reviewed at http://www.mobilebeat.com/djay-for-the-ipad-review/) and condensed it down so it works within the environment of an Iphone. While I have only had to use it once so far because of troubles with my primary mp3deck (a classic Denon DN HD-2500), it was supremely handy to have. I personally carry the Mobile Beat Top 200 chart (http://www.mobilebeat.com/top-200/) in Mp3 form on my Iphone, so I had the tracks I needed, was able to mix them back and forth while I straightened out issues with my primary system.

Based on this we rolled this application out to all of our DJ staff that have Iphones (5) and have imported the Mp3 version of the Mobile Beat Top 200 into the iphones. This has already covered us at another event where Seth of our DJ service staff had to cover while his windows laptop rebooted just before an event was due to start.

99 cents is a steal to have full mixability on your itunes from your IPhone. DJs – get it now – http://www.algoriddim.com/djay-iphone

Introduce Your Services to Schools Through Back to School Orientation Events

Make no doubt about it, July is the slowest month of the year around schools. Teachers and even most administrators are off for the entire month, away from their school buildings and rarely checking e-mail, if at all. However, in a mere 30 days back-to-school season will be in full swing, with schedule-pickups, freshman orientation lock-ins, and fall sports booster functions. A few industrious teachers and organizers ARE working in July to make preparations for these events. Back-to-school events such as these are some of my favorite to perform for the following reasons:

• They are usually held on a weeknight
• They are short – sometimes they only need us for an hour
• They are well-attended – you’ve got a captive audience and the students are excited about the coming year.
• They are a great way to introduce the school to your company, in hopes of booking big dances during the year.

Your marketing objective is to create the need for your services with this type of event. Here are a few tips for summer marketing to schools:

• Forget snail mail! No one is at the school over the summer. By the time your materials are read, the time will have come and gone.
• Be patient with e-mail responses. Some teachers check their email once a week or less during the summer. Even if you’ve engaged in an exchange with an organizer, don’t get impatient for answers.
• Be lenient with contract deadlines. Organizers can’t always get the appropriate signatures over the summer. I usually just offer to bring a contract the evening of the event if they are comfortable with that.

May your back-to-school events lead you into another successful year working with schools!

Swarm the Dance Floor with Light

NOW SHIPPING: SWARM™ 4

SUNRISE, Fla. – CHAUVET®, a leading manufacturer of LED lighting, announces the release of Swarm™ 4, a dazzling quad-colored LED effect light that floods the dance floor with red, green, blue and amber dashes of wildly moving light.

Perfect for the mobile DJ or club environment, the LED-powered Swarm™ 4 (http://www.chauvetlighting.com/swarm-4.html) includes four (one red, one green, one blue and one amber), two-watt LEDs for maximum color options. Individual color control allows the programmer to coordinate the lights with the décor which is ideal for proms, weddings, corporate events and more. Swarm™ 4 features eight rectangular lenses that split the effect into hundreds of razor-sharp beams. The motor rotates back and forth at variable speed creating ever-changing effects by alternating multi-colored beams.

Swarm™ 4 can be controlled using four channels of DMX, built-in automated programs or sound-activated programs. It has a coverage angle of 65 degrees, weighs just over eight pounds and features an autoswitching power supply.

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About CHAUVET®
CHAUVET® is a leading manufacturer of professional luminaires fulfilling the needs of various industry sectors, from DJ/club to architecture to production/tour. CHAUVET’s strategy is to pursue every market segment where it has a competitive advantage in terms of value, innovation and performance, with an emphasis on LED technology. For more general information, please visit www.chauvetlighting.com.

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